Equality. Such a strong word, yet such a vague one. In a world torn by laws, rights, violence, racism, weakness, and injustice, equality can easily dissipate into the air. Were men and women created equal? Is one race really superior to the other? Do gays have the same rights as straights?

‘Taboo’

Many years ago, people were bound by strict rules about association, gender, religion, politics, and way of life in general. But slowly, through each passing year, things have changed. Slowly, those seeming “inequalities” have disappeared into the fights for freedom and equality. It’s as if we have been constantly tapping our foot on an imposing line symbolizing boundary, and constantly pushing and moving that solid line inch by inch, day by day, until the time came when what we have first recognized as taboo is now accepted as the norm.

‘Liberty and equality’

Before, gays were illicit citizens of the earth. Now, we have laws upholding their rights in our society, although not in every place. Before, slaves and minorities were rendered untouchable. Now, everyone can mingle with everybody else, and have a fair shot at leadership. Before, women were deprived of education and work because they were meant to stay at home to tend to house chores. Today, women can have the same school and work opportunities with men.

These are but a few changes that came about through our long and winding history of inequality and equality. Not every country enjoys this liberty. Not every person gets the same opportunity. But slowly, slowly, slowly, we hope that someday, we can achieve true liberty and equality for everyone. But only time will tell when that day would be.

What is your opinion about equality between genders and races? Feel free to share your thoughts with us!

His household laundry is hung in the backyard. His water supply is drawn from a yard well. And his security system consists of two police officers and his three-legged dog Manuela. He drives a 1987 Volkswagen Beetle. He is not your ordinary politician. Meet Jose Mujica, the president of Uruguay — the “World’s Poorest President.”

‘Free choice’

Unlike all the rest or most of the world’s leaders, President Mujica has rejected the posh lifestyle that the Uruguayan state affords its politicians and chose to live at his wife’s farmhouse located off a beaten path in Montevideo. Here, the couple tend to the land themselves and grow flowers. Explaining that he can live with what he has, Mujica gives away 90% of his monthly salary (about $12,000) to the poor and small entrepreneurs.

“I’m called ‘the poorest president’, but I don’t feel poor. Poor people are those who only work to try to keep an expensive lifestyle, and always want more and more,” he says. “This is a matter of freedom. If you don’t have many possessions then you don’t need to work all your life like a slave to sustain them, and therefore you have more time for yourself. I may appear to be an eccentric old man… But this is a free choice.”

‘Sustainable development’

The Uruguayan leader aims to alleviate his nation’s poverty through sustainable development — not by imitating the development and consumption of the affluent countries, but by avoiding the “hyper-consumption that is harming our planet.”

Although his popularity rating has fallen by 50% recently, he does not worry about it because the Uruguayan law does not allow re-elections. And he plans to retire from politics after his term. No power-grabbing schemes, no popularity runs, no ego-driven projects.

What if all the politicians in the world lived like Jose Mujica? Would this world be a better place? Tell us what you think of the humble lifestyle of Uruguay’s president!